I'm assuming this will work, but thought I would see if there are any pitfalls awaiting me....
You guys (Nolen and Henry C) have talked me out of leaving the 3 spd tranny in my FJ45, so will all of the vacuum shift stuff bolt to a 76 era 4 spd case and function?
Has anyone actually done it?
Butch

Haven't actually done it but mocked it up... Vacuum 4WD assembly fits fine on the later nosecone. Need to move the hard mounted lines on the floorboard back for the 4 spd.

Swap the top cover plate from the three speed case, so you retain the Hi-lo lever at the proper angle and lengthen that rod.

Pretty easy.

A tranny tunnel cover from a similar vintage early FJ40 will fit the FJ45 tranny tunnel IIRC, so cutting the hole for the 4 spd shifter is not a big deal.

I went the other way. The current transfer on my 40 was a vacuum shift case that I converted to manual action. All I did was switch the stuff bolted to the nosecone, and the top cover to get the high-low switch at the right place. Worked for the last two years or so.

RUSTY, I PLAN ON CONVERTING TO MANUAL TO, BUT I WILL BE MODDING MY VACCUM SHIFT GEAR TO MANUAL. :)

Other than the coolness of having the vacume shifter with the old trucks (I plan to keep mine in Wilbur at all costs) it is really nice if you are running a auto-locker in the front to be able to knock it out of 4WD on the trail with a push of a button for easier steering between obstacles.

I don't see any reason to ditch the vacume setup.

This was my thinking, toi keep it looking as original as possible. I had a 63 once with the vacuum and it all worked flawlessly even the 4wd light.......not that I need any help being cool.........:cool:









:flipoff2:
Butch

Cool is being aligned with ZZTop ! :D

Just my .02c worth but I'd keep the vacuum shift as well. I think they get a bad wrap. I've been running them for many years and never yet had a failure. (This kind of makes me want to go aout and engage mine just to be sure) Keep that rig as stock looking as you can!

Originally posted by Wrong-Way Reddog
Cool is being aligned with ZZTop ! :D

Yea, I've found over the years, ZZ, Led Zep and a few others can judge compatabilty with me fairly quick, get a new aquaintance in the truck crank a CD, and check their reaction..........
Butch